Communicate early. Landlords fear silence more than arrears. A short honest email — 'I'm going to be £X short this month, here's what I can pay and when I can catch up' — often prevents formal notices being issued.
Check your benefits. Many working households are entitled to Universal Credit or Housing Benefit and don't claim it. A benefits check via Turn2us or entitledto takes 10 minutes and often finds meaningful monthly income.
If eviction proceedings begin, seek housing help immediately from your local council's housing options team, Shelter or Citizens Advice. They can help you access Discretionary Housing Payments, negotiate with the landlord and prepare for court.
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